SIMBINE BREAKS SA 100M RECORD

The sprinters stole the show on Tuesday night, spearheaded by Akani Simbine, at the first leg of the newly launched Athletics South Africa Nite Series at Pilditch Stadium in Pretoria.
Simbine won the men’s 100m race in 9.96 seconds, breaking the SA record of 9.97 which he and compatriot Henricho Bruintjies had set last year.
“It’s an amazing feeling. It’s my first race of the season so I’m surprised with my shape, but I’m excited about where I am now,” Simbine said.
“I just hope I can build on this.”
He confirmed his superb start to the season had not changed his 2016 plans, however, as he continued his lengthy build-up towards the Rio Olympics in August.
“My season will not change. I’m still planning to do everything I need to do to prepare for the SA Championships (in Stellenbosch in April) and the international season.”
Meanwhile, in the women’s 100m sprint, Carina Horn secured victory in 11.23, holding off a challenge from Alyssa Conley, who finished second in 11.29 to smash her personal best by 0.22.
All three speedsters achieved the 100m qualifying standards for the Rio Games.
Conley went one better in the 200m event, stunning a field that included World Student Games 400m champion Justine Palframan and one-lap hurdles specialist Wenda Nel.
Her performances gave a clear indication that Conley was set to enjoy a breakthrough season, in an attempt to narrow the gap on Horn, the joint national record holder in the short sprint.
In other performances, Thapelo Phora, who will turn out in the men’s 4x400m relay at the World Indoor Championships in Portland next week, improved his career record by 0.27 to win the one-lap race in 45.64.
Distance runner Irvette van Zyl also shattered her personal best by more than 16 seconds in the women’s 3 000m race, crossing the line in 9:11.51 as she again displayed fine form ahead of her Olympic qualifying attempt at the London Marathon in April.
Shot put giant Orazio Cremona got his season off to a positive start, bouncing back from a groin injury to win his specialist event with a best heave of 20.05m.